GE wins big in two new defense contracts

Two local GE Aviation operations are winning big in two newly announced Department of Defense contracts.

The Department of Defense announced a $52,462,485 contract award to GE Aviation in Vandalia. The House Armed Services Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces — chaired by U.S. Rep. Mike Turner, R-Dayton — authorized those funds for electrical systems for the Navy’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircraft.

“Southwest Ohio continues to be at the forefront of aviation innovation and the bedrock of national security,” Turner said in a statement. “This contract coming to our community will support about 300 high-tech manufacturing jobs for the next five years. These upgraded systems will provide increased electrical power performance, improved mission readiness and reduced life-cycle costs for the Navy.”

“GE Vandalia is excited to continue our tradition of supporting the F/A-18 Super Hornet and Growler fleet,” John Robertson, vice president of GE Electrical Power Systems, said in the same announcement. “The G4 is already delivering improved mission readiness for the U.S. Navy warfighter, and this contract also helps secure good manufacturing jobs for our Vandalia plant through 2024.”

Also Wednesday, the DoD said GE Aviation, based in Evendale, was awarded $12,080,440 for the procurement of 1,815 main long spraybars and 265 kits that consists of the 12 main short spraybars, one ignition spraybar, and one bolt in support of F/A-18E/F/G aircraft.